In this commentary,
Daniel, writing from the perspective of a young single man, explores his
perceptions on sex and human sexuality synthesised through Christian insight
and biblical references…
Sex in today's world is everywhere and is something that Christians,
especially youthful ones, struggle with. It's always in your face and
it's always available in some shape or form. From what you could call
'humble beginning', sex has come along way, as it is venerated and encouraged
these days. For young believer's like myself, it is hard to know what
is right and what is wrong, along with the "how far can I go before
God's smites me?" While I am no relationship expert, I would like
in this essay to explore the Biblical views on sex, how the Church feels
on the matter and study the challenges and joys awaiting us.
Why doesn't God like sex?
People often ask me, "Why doesn't God like sex?" This is a
rather interesting question itself, as it seems that the questioner has
the idea that God doesn't like sex. While one might see in movies or read
in books, medieval Christians mortifying themselves because they had thought
of sex this view on how Christians approach sex is outdated and couldn't
be further from the truth. God in fact does approve of sex; He did create
it after all. The real question is, "How does God feel about sex
and what does He have to say about it?"
One might be surprised to find that there isn't as much written on this
subject in Sacred Scripture as one might think.
Perhaps the first and best description of human sexuality can be found
with the Book of Genesis:
So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep;
and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up
the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had
taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh
of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman', for she was taken out of man."
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother
and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. …Genesis
2:21-24
This description and statement forms a large part on what the Church
teaches about human relationships and intimacy. While the phrase, "they
will become one flesh" might be seen as purely sexually or purely
relationally, we must understand it has both elements, and even more.
The man and woman, are ordained to be one and are united as one, by doing
so they become one, they become husband and wife. After this, the Lord
is pleased with His creation and commands them to be fruitful and multiple.
There is another verse in Genesis about the relationship between man and
woman which is often overlooked:
Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore
Cain, and said, "I have acquired a man from the LORD." …Genesis
4:1
While the natural result of sex is of course giving birth to children,
the author of Genesis was not oblivious to this; he continues to give
another reason for sex within the man woman relationship. Now Adam knew
Eve his wife. It is clear that the author is trying to send the message
of the uniqueness of the husband and wife relationship. A married man
knows his wife in a unique way that no other man can or should know, and
a married woman knows her husband in a unique way that no other woman
can or should know. Sex strengthens the bonding between marriage partners.
They continue to learn about each other, so they might know one another.
Yet what about premarital sex? Can two become one flesh without being
married?
Pre-marital sex and adultery…
The Bible is very little to say about about premarital sex, however it
is vocal about a sin called adultery. Adultery can be best described as
voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and one who is not
his or her spouse. In the Book of Exodus, adultery is made unlawful in
the sixth commandment. Jesus was uncompromising in what he had to say
on this subject. He claimed, "he who looks at a woman lustfully
has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matt
5:28) and at the time, the punishment for committing such a sin
was death (Deu 22:22). This is radical teaching
and one that constantly sticks with me.
The call of Jesus to remain pure and to remain true to your husband or
wife is a call echoed by the Church as well. The Church teaches that human
sexuality was created by God with the twin purposes of procreation and
intimacy-bringing a sexually active couple into a close emotional and
spiritual relationship through the close physical relationship and as
such, it should be restricted to a lifelong relationship between a man
and a woman.
I must admit I love reading the joyous songs and romantic dialogue of
the newly weds in the book Song of Songs. It tells the tale of two newly
weds and their tender thoughts about one another, the erotic love they
share and the sexual desire they have for one another. They have such
passion and love for one another, a passion and love I pray that I will
receive from my future wife. While I know and am well aware that it won't
be all roses and candles but full of thorns and stones, we must be up
to the challenge. After all, marriage isn't easy, I'm single. From what
I've learned from my parents, I know marriage has its joys and its pains,
and I firmly believe that sex is a God given joy.
Let's face it God isn't against sex!
 |
Daniel
Gullotta is a student at ACU National, studying a Bachelor’s
degree in Theology. He is a convert to the Anglican Church and a
member of MEC's Youth Ministry in the Anglican Diocese of Brisbane.
|
What are your thoughts on Daniel's essay? You can contribute to the discussion
in our forum.
©2007
Daniel Gullotta
[Index of Commentaries by Daniel]
|
Email
this page to a friend
Print
friendly view
Post
your feedback in our forum
